PROSPER V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and mechanisms of online PeRinatal emOtional skillS groups compared to treatment as usual for women and birthing parents with borderline Personality disordER (PROSPER).
IRAS ID
341566
Contact name
Paul Moran
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
People with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) often have difficult relationships, experience distressing changes in mood and are at increased risk of self-harm and suicide. Pregnancy, childbirth and becoming a parent is known as the ‘perinatal period’. This period can be particularly stressful and people with BPD have advised us that they would have valued more help during this very important period of their lives.
Emotional skills groups, known as ESGs, can help people to learn new skills in managing their feelings and relationships and may also relieve some of the symptoms of BPD. Perinatal ESGs involve twelve, online, group sessions, that cover a range of topics, including feelings about becoming a parent, and the relationship with the baby. The groups are popular with patients and staff; however, we do not know whether the groups really work, or how they might work.
We will ask women and birthing parents with symptoms of BPD, who are either pregnant or within one year of giving birth, if they would be willing to take part in this study. 216 people will be recruited at at least 7 NHS hospitals in England. Patients will be assigned to one of two groups randomly. Half will have 12 online sessions of perinatal ESGs, as well as standard NHS perinatal mental health care. The other half will have standard NHS perinatal mental health care.
People taking part will be contacted by a researcher multiple times over a year and asked to complete questionnaires about their mental health. We will also gather information about the health of their babies from health records. By comparing BPD symptoms for the two study groups, we will find out if perinatal ESGs help women and birthing parents with symptoms of BPD. The study will also look at how perinatal ESGs work.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/NW/0022
Date of REC Opinion
20 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion